Las Vegas

We have seen so much of the beauty of nature since starting our touring two years ago that we could not believe we would continue to be so impressed as we explore new areas. But Death Valley was beautiful. It was so cool to walk at Badwater Basin, 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America. Fran and Ian were equally amazed at the variety of colors in the mountains. Artist's Palette accurately describes the red, yellow, orange and green colors reminding one of the minerals in the rocks and earth. This picture is of them standing at Zabriskie Point, the outlook over Gold Canyon. Furnace Creek holds the record for second highest temperature recorded on earth when in 1913 it reached 134'F. The most profitable and longest-sustained mining activities in the region centered on talc and borate. We didn't see much wild life except the cutest 'kit fox' who trotted up to the car and shone it's big brown eyes on us, looking for food.

Las Vegas

Fran and Ian flew in from Toronto this morning to spend a week with us touring the Las Vegas area. We'll enjoy gambling plus we'll do some touring as well. Found a coupon in the Motorhome magazine and decided we could splurge and stay at the Outlook RV Resort at the south end of the strip. Good decision as this resort is really pretty and clean. We are parked across from the pool, hot tub and showers and, because the park is not busy right now, it feels like the conveniences are there just for our use. After giving our family a few hours to rest and a good meal, we drove the strip to give them an overview of what to see and what to do stopping finally to enjoy the Paris, Ballagio and Ceasar Casinos.

Los Angelas California

We had a great time touring Hollywood Blvd with Tony and Barb. Saw the Kodak Theatre and the autographs of the stars in the sidewalk out front. We took a tour of Beverly Hills and saw the homes of the stars (didn't see any of the stars). Ate at our first 'In and Out' restaurant and that was a lark (and the food was decent). Another fun and interesting day with our friends.

Los Angelas California

How appropriate that we are spending our time with Tony and Barb, the same couple with whom we toured the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. We were in Selma where, in 1965, Martin Luther King led a march to the Capital Building in Montgomery demanding that African Americans have the right to vote. And last night, John and my first vote as U.S. citizens, we helped to vote in President Obama. Not just because of our options or because he is African American but because we believe he is smart, honest and sincere in his quest to make a difference. It is amazing and exciting to a part of this history. It is so sad that his gramma could not have lived just a few days more to enjoy the results of her hard efforts in raising this young man. We believe McCain's speach last nite was the best one we have ever heard

Los Angelas California

We spent the day at the Getty Center yesterday with Tony and Barb. What a totally amazing museum. It was so big and complex that we could not get all of it all in in one day. From the art collections, to the sculptures, plus the gardens and everything in between, it was very impressive. Web site it http://www.getty.edu/ if you want to take a look. If in the L.A. area, def put on your list for a 'must see'.

Los Angelas California

We change our minds daily. As it ended up, we left Gilroy Garlic Farm and their aroma therapy to head south the Pismo Beach. We arrived at Pacific Dunes RV Ranch and Resort in Oceana overlooking the sand dunes for two days. Met up with friends, Bob and Sharon, for dinner at Jockos in Nipomo for the best steak we have had in years! Money is spent on the food, not the ambience. We toured Pismo Beach, Avilo Beach and the area. Pretty but haze and cool. Today we decided to go the Bakersfield, CA for a few days then on to L.A. Well, as we drove south on hwy 101, we changed our minds and continued on to hwy 126, over to hwy 5 and straight south thru L.A. to Orangeland RV Resort in Orange, CA. Took us 4 hrs and John just took it slow. Was not nearly as overwhelming as we expected (not any worse than driving in Toronto) and, as 4 lane hwy driving, we were fine. This is a nice resort. Nice sites, heated pool, patio table and chairs (instead of picnic table), paved site with some grass and a small exercise room. We are next door to the Honda Center so hope to take in an Anaheim Ducks hockey game. Disneyland is just down the street. Will go to the Crystal Cathederal Sunday for service and then over to our friends, Tony and Barb, for a visit. And the beaches. So will be a busy week. Hot and sunny. Friday will be a down day to enjoy the resort.

Pacific Grove, California

It is difficult to see the thousands of monarch butterflies in this picture. They migrate to Pacific Grove in October and stay until March. On a dull day, they clump together on the branches and look like leaves. This was a really pretty stop on our tour of Monterey Bay area today. We also stopped at the Point Pinos Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast. The building, lenses and prisms of light are all original and this lighthouse's beacon has shone since February 1, 1955. We drove from Santa Cruz to Pacific Grove along the bay and enjoyed some more of California's beauty.

San Francisco Area

The tour of the Jelly Belly factory was 'sweet'. I like the jelly beans we get at Fran and Ian's better but the fruit candy from here was excellent. Lots of free bees. Love it. Then we went on a tour of the Budweiser bottling plant and enjoyed that as well. I tried two new beer that I would never have bought. Would now buy the Mic Ultra Tuscan Orange Grapefruit for me.

San Francisco Area

Spending a beautiful day touring some of the 400 wineries in the Napa Valley was impressive. The first one we visited is owned by the Andretti Family. The one that looks like the castle is the Costello di Amorosa. Absolutely beautiful. The one seen from the gates is Darioush. I think Sterling was the most impressive to us. We caught a cable car up the side of the mountain to the winery. The buildings, grounds and views were breathtaking. We spent some of our children's inheritance (what's left in our mutual funds that is) on a $45 bottle of wine. You can bet we'll be saving that for a special day. We tasted some wines that we would never have bought so it was nice to try something different. We did buy another bottle of wine that compared to the chardonnay but was lighter in taste. Even for non drinkers, this was a tour well worth our time.

San Francisco Area

Alcatraz was an interesting tour. The first buildings we saw when we docked housed the employees working at the prison along with their families. Above and behind those barracks we could see the remains of the warden's mansion. We were surprised at how many families lived there including up to 60 or 70 children. They tell us that living on the island was peaceful, beautiful and quiet. They took a boat to school each day, never saw the prisoners and believed living at Alcatraz was amongst the best times of their lives. Former prisoner, Darwin Coon, has written a book on Alcatraz and was holding a book signing at the gift shop. He was in Alcatraz in 1962 when three prisoners escaped inspiring the movie 'Escape from Alcatraz". Definitely would recommend this tour to any one visiting the area.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Seven miles beyond this marker is the Bonneville Speedway. 80' wide and 10 miles long. Due to the curvature of the earth, it is impossible to see from one end to the other. The first record was set at the Bonneville Salt Flats Sept. 3, 1935 at 301 mph. The fastest record was set by Gary Galelich Oct 23, 1970 at 622.4 mph. This looks like ice behind John but is actually salt. We couldn't go to the track as they had a storm last week and it was under 1/4 inch of water. We stayed at the Flying J campground in Battle Mountain Tues nite but the next day saw that the Flying J cg in Winnemucca NV would have been nicer. Now in Reno at the Grand Sierra Casino RV park and it is nice. Will spend the week here and tour the city, gamble a wee bit and do some major shopping. Weather really nice and park provides lounge chairs to enjoy the sunshine. Up at 5 am this morning as not getting use to these time zones. Looking forward to a fun stopover.

Salt Lake City, Utah

It was a pretty site to wake up to this Sunday morning, however cold it was. Went to the live broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Have enjoyed this area but time to move on. Today we are on the road to Reno. Just passed the south side of Great Salt Lake and heading into the desert area. Mountains are beautiful.

Salt Lake City, Utah

This big guy wasn't moving for any old rv!
In hindsite, we would have booked a campsite on Antelope Island. Not in this section mind you. Plus this site (#9) was taken. There is another section on the water that is really nice that was lots big enough for our rig. No hook ups but a nice spot. Next time. We enjoyed this island tour for the day and think it may have been a good spot to view their Buffalo Roundup the last of October. We thought it would be smaller and a nicer viewing area than Custer SP. At this time, the island is more of a peninsula. The water in the Great Salt Lake disappears more each year.

Wyoming

What an amazing time of year to be traveling in this area. The weather has been great while we were at Yellowstone NP. When we got up to leave Monday, the park had been closed due to snow. So we were a little later getting away but it was so beautiful.
Going south thru the park, around Lake Yellowstone (which was really big) and thru the mountains as we drove on hwy 89 was breathtaking. We were in awe at the beauty. Stopped at a koa in Montpelier, Idaho (nestled in the mountains) overnight and then continued on around Bear Lake still staying on 89, Would def recommend this drive in Autumn for any travellers. Destination Antelope Is. Utah.

Yellowstone National Park

http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/stream/stream.htm?parkcode=yell

We were so glad Denny & Sandy from BC told us about the live web cam at Old Faithful in Yellowstone. We phoned Candy, Dione, Michelle and Fran to go to the site and see us waving at them. They could see us really clearly and the grandkids loved it. This park is amazing to tour to see so many geysers, hot springs, paint pots, mountain steams and peaks as well as the wildlife. We saw a herd of elk invade the downtown lawns at Mammoth Hot Springs, mule ear deer, of course buffalo, and a wolf. It was neat to see so many men and women fishing in the streams. It was interesting too to see the natural restoration after the destruction from the 1988 wildfire. The weather has been great and we are glad we booked in here for the 5 days to see everything. We look forward to bringing the grandkids here someday.

Black Hills of South Dakota

This Pronghorn Antelope had his picture taken last week at Custer State Park, however, we are seeing many of them on either side of I-90 as we travel thru Wyoming to West Yellowstone. Will stop at Flying J in a few minutes to top up gas tank. The Buffalo Roundup yesterday morning was fun. We got up early and took an employees entrance into Custer SP. Dusty but fast and easy. Believe there may have been about 200 buffalo stampeded thru the valley and into the coral. The fun was watching them refuse to go in and doubling back towards the cowboys. Turning, spreading out and rushing like crazy to get away. We met two really nice couples from Chicago who were touring on their motorbikes. And we enjoyed wandering down to the corals after the roundup. Warm and sunny so washed the car when we got back to the cg.

Buffalo (Bison) at Custer State Park

Someone asked us what sound a buffalo makes and we concluded it was more like snorting. Certainly were a lot of them.

Black Hills, South Dakota

We arrived here on Sat Sept 20th expecting to stay 3 days but have been here over a week now. Have toured Custer SP, Mt Rushmore, Badlands plus all the small areas around here. Has been great. Had decided to stay longer for the Buffalo Roundup on Sept 29th. Will be in the park by 7 a.m. along with ten thousand or more others to sit on the hills and watch the cowboys herd approx 1300 buffalo in to the coral. There they will check their health, vacinate, microchip and weed out some to cut the herd back to about 950. This is all the park can sustain along with the other mammals and the vegetation. The burros in this picture stop traffic in Custer SP and beg for food. One man, in a hurry to get by, unloaded a bag of chips out the window and then cut thru. We've had an excellent stay at a campground in Hermosa just outside the park. Tues we will drive northwest to Grizzly CG in West Yellowstone, Montana for 5 nites. Doing our WiiFit every day. Meeting some nice folks along the way. Life is good. Going on a 2 hr horseback ride in Custer SP today.

Black Hills, here we come

Just passed the Badlands of SD on way to Custer SP, Mt Rushmore etc. Beautiful countryside and looking forward to hiking and exploring. Booked into a Passport America campground in Hermosa where it looks like we'll have easy access to all the attractions. Will do a day trip back to Wall and the Badlands in the car so we can take scenic backroads and enjoy the day. Looks like we need to eat at Wall Drug Cafe. Today we switched over to Mountain tim

e but as of tomorrow we are on Manuana time. Coach is working good. Filled up at Flying J, Sioux Falls this morning for $3.72 but looks like we could pay $3.99 at FJ Rapid City. Oh well, that's the price of the Smart Team's fun and games. John is setting awesome records on the WiiFit making me look like a slump and forcing me to pick up the pace. Still my little Mii says I have the body of a 45 yr old so just wait until we leave here in a week after all our hiking. Picture her chubby, lifeless body with her head and arms down, dragging her butt off the tv screen. Nintendo makes the emotions on the Mii so animated.

On the road again !

We left Red Bay, AL Wed morning and headed north through Tennessee and into Missouri. Filled up with diesel at Flying J for $3.819 gal at exit 58 on I-55 north. Then went a little further north to a PA campground for the nite. Got up early this morn, did our WiiFit and then headed north. Just passing St Louis, MO where they have had a lot of rain. Hope to be in Kansas City tonight but that could be pushing it. Chris Berry at Tiffin extended my computer tray in front of the passenger seat so I can be on the internet and work really comfortably while we travel. Downloaded Skype and webcam'd my friend Barb in California. Will try it out and compare it to webcamming on Windows Messenger. I'm thinking if I hook up my external webcam, I may be able to use one camera with messenger and the second camera with skype at the same time. Will have to try it. Meantime sunny and bright for travelling, Tiffin fixed everything and more on the coach, love our new laptop and muscles are sore from using Wii. Life is good.

Red Bay Alabama

Well, it's Monday and we are still in Red Bay at the Tiffin Service Bays. This morning we found that one of our jacks would not work so they are replacing it now. One more issue set for tomorrow so hoping to be able to head to Mt Rushmore South Dakota Wednesday. But who knows. At least we're in a good place for things to go wrong and we're saving gas.

Red Bay Reunion

After the Bristol Nascar races we moved on to Red Bay, Alabama to get some warranty work done on the coach. While here we have found more items that are being fixed for us. Monday Tiffin had to keep the coach in the service bay overnight, so we drove to Don and Scarlett's new home in Manchester TN. Had a great time. Toured the George Dickel distillery which was interesting. Dry county so no free samples! Found my Wii consol at the Walmart nearby and then found the Wii Fit board at the Walmart in Russellville AL on the way home Wed. Had a lot of laughs setting it up today and guess we will need to do some work to get in shape! Coach is coming along great so hoping to be out of here and on our way to South Dakota by Monday. We are looking to start our western tour with Mount Rushmore and the Black Hill National Park. If the weather is decent (at least 65) we will move on to Yellowstone in Wyoming. If it is too cold, we will not go that far north but will drop into Utah. We haven't spent any time in Northern Utah yet. It's nice not having any definite plans so that we can just travel where the weather suits us.

Bristol starts our touring in the U.S.

Met up with Ken and Marlys in Ohio and spent some time with them as we drove from Canada to Bristol. Really nice to see them agn. We have met up with our aussie friends at the track and are enjoying hearing about their adventures over the summer. Sounds like they found some great campgrounds that we are looking forward to checking out. Took them to Ridgewood BBQ yesterday for lunch. Truck race last nite was fun.

Ontario, Canada

John's mom made a special appearance at the campsite in Harrison Park, Owen Sound last week. Everyone was so excited to see her and she seemed to enjoy herself. We had a great time camping with family for the weekend. Dione and her family were the last to leave on July 23rd. John and I then spent some fun times visiting with family and friends at the park until July 29th. Now we are at Woodland Campground at Sauble Beach. We started coming here three years ago and really like it. Easy to see why Woodall rates it one of the top parks in Canada. Although it's nice to be without the kids while visiting our friends, we miss them. Looking forward to having them back on board next week.

Ontario, Canada

We took the 5 grandkids to Sherkston Shores near Fort Erie, Ontario for 4 days. Had to take Jack home as too hot and he not feeling so good. But the others had an awesome time. They loved the water slides and the pools. There was entertainment for them every evening in the lounge and we laughed, danced, and sang with the entertainers. They ran out of cards for the chocolate bar bingo and, even tho we didn't play, we still won 6 bars. One dinged Gracie on the forehead and that was tramatic but she got the bar. Ty and Abby swam out to the raft in the quarry. Water was 50 feet deep and I think rafts were 30 feet out. They did great. Ty shared his money with Abby, Grace and Tate in the arcade. We were very proud of him. Actually all four kids shared and looked out for each other.

Ontario, Canada

We were really impressed with the Allegro rally we attended a couple weeks ago. The campground, Four Mile Creek State Park was really nice. Will def go back. We had site 228 which overlooked Lake Ontario plus we were able to get satalite. Water outlet near by so we filled up without moving. Very clean and people very friendly. The caterers that were used were first class. Food was good, hot and served quickly and efficiently at mealtime. Goodluck to the sponsors of the next rally in topping this performance!

As we were in Ontario for the summer, we crossed at the Lewiston bridge and it was an easy 20 min drive to the SP. No toll going over. However,,,,, we paid a $16.25 toll coming back in to Ontario. Apparently just went up and is per axle. Oh well, such is life.

Now back in Ontario with the grandkids until mid August.

Said goodby to Tony and Barb in Montgomery and toured north in Alabama to Point Mallard Park in Decatur. Really nice park. Met up with Tony and Barb again to tour the Huntsville Space Center. Was not aware that the space program started there. Also met them to tour the Monestary and Shrine of Our Lady of Angels. Very impressive place and we really enjoyed the stop.

After Decatur, we drove over to Tiffin Mfg in Red Bay to get some minor work done on the rv as well as some cool custom work done on the coach. Met some nice folks and, all in all, enjoyed our 10 day stop. Drove to Louisville, KY in the car to meet Dione and Bob and three of their kids. Brought Abby, Grace and Jack back to Alabama. They stayed with us for our two week journey back to Ontario Canada and we all had a busy and fun time. John took them on a tour of the Tiffin factory to see how our coach was made.

We arrived in Ontario June 1st and will stay at Spring Lake Campground south of Ingersoll until July 7th. Then taking 5 grandchildren to Shirkston Shores near Niagara Falls for a few days. Then back to Green Acres in Waterloo for a week. Then Harrison Park, Owen Sound for almost 2 weeks with family and friends. Very busy but fun.

Montgomery, Alabama

Had a great stop in Montgomery where we visited the Alabama State Capital, Rosa Parks Library and Museum, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church and Civil Rights Memorial and Center. For $1 each per day we rode the narrated trolley around the city then got off at the historical landmarks. What an emotional education for us as the museums were very well done. We met Tony and Barb from California and hooked up for more touring of museums and memorials in Selma plus a couple of short visits to the casinos. Tony and Barb are standing at the start of the Edmund Pettus Bridge where 'Bloody Sunday' happened March 7, 1965 and where Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. and hundreds of courageous men, women and children crossed to march the 54 miles from Selma to the State Capital in Montgomery 3 wks later. April 23rd, John and I are on the road again moving to Decatur to soak up more of Alabama's rich history.

The Travelling Aussies

A few days before leaving Mobile, we met Glenn and Bobby from Australia. They sold everything, came to the US, bought a truck and fifth wheel and are 'on the road' for a year. We hung out with them for a day and enjoyed their company as well as enjoyed learning about Australia. We didn't realize that country was as large as the US. Gas is already $5 gal. Cost of 'toys' is 3 or 4 times higher. Naturally we exchanged email addresses, will keep in touch and look forward to our paths crossing again in the future.

2008 Saturn Outlook getting ready for towing

Well we didn't find a deal in Pensacola so moved on to Mobile, Alabama April 7th. The Saturn dealer here had the car we were looking for so we had a look at it. Well, there it sits in our driveway at Chickasabroque Park. Is an 8 passenger so will hold all our grandchildren. Even has a dvd player for them to watch. And it matches the rv. Went to Pensacola to get the title changed and that was sweet. They were fast, very friendly and, when they recognized by our address that we were full time rv'rs, they offered to print up the new title and registration for $7 rather than mail it. Today we are getting a film put on the front (like Diamond Shield which Tiffin puts on their motorhomes) and then tomorrow the towing plate etc is being put on by the dealer. While we are here, we took the doors off the china cabinets in the rv and had the glass replaced with mirror. Looks great for all of $17. Makes that cupboard much more useful. This has been a pretty good stop. Went to Biloxi and only lost $12 after 4 hours on the penny 'Mr Cashman'. Luv this life!

Wicked weather here in Gulf Shores Alabama

We had planned on leaving Gulf State Park on Monday and going over to a state park in Mobile, AL. However they are getting severe weather with flooding and tornados. Our weather radio went crazy all night. When the alarm went off each time, we were in a deep sleep and woke up shaking. Didn't want to shut it off but..........
We are only getting a bit of rain so it sounds like just north of us is getting the worst.
Went looking at new cars yesterday. John wants to update our 2002 Envoy. It runs fine but, if we get a new car, I want the Saturn Outlook with the bench seats that will hold all 6 grandchildren. It will tow easily. This photo was taken at Lulu's. Fun roadhouse owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister, Lucy. Food was good, prices good and service excellent. Live band started at 5 pm and place was packed by 6. Behind us is a barge pushing coal up the intercoastal waterway toward Pensacola FL.

Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores Alabama

Watch out boys! Uncle John is practicing playing Bongo Ball and is getting good at it. Don't tell Jamie. He wants to be the 'king' in July when we get together at Harrison Park, Owen Sound.

I finally found a palm tree. John was not happy to pay for but ..... it was for his better half. It's so pretty lit up at nite. I might want another one a little taller.

Camped at Miami Everglades near Homestead FL and drove car to Key West for the day. Nice CG and would def go back.

Sunset on the beach in Naples for Valentine Day. See John's new pelican friend behind him. Wanted to share our wine.

Always lots to see and do in Florida

Bob and Cindy came to visit us at Fort Wilderness, Disneyworld. John's first time horseback riding. Went to the Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Circque de Soliel. Fort Wilderness CG was great and will def go back next year.

Can't believe a year has gone by !

Here we are, a year later, and we haven't stopped long enough to update our blog. So much has happened. We had spent most the 2007 winter in Zephyrhills, FL. In April 07 we headed north, taking our time, going along the east coast and stopping at lots of rv parks along the way. We had finally sold the house and were feeling very free and easy. We spent the summer with the kids, waited for Sarah Hildenbrand to be born on August 31, then headed southwest. In Dec 07, we travelled east to trade our HR Endeavor in on a 08 42' Tiffin Phaeton. We wandered around Florida from Key West to Disney's Fort Wilderness then on the Tennessee to the Nascar race in Bristol. Now we have landed in Gulf Shores Alabama and think we'll stay put for a few weeks. Weather is warm and state park is rather nice.

Dione and Sarah come to Texas

In December, Dione and Sarah flew to Houston TX and spent a week with us in the rv. We were parked in Kenah just south of Houston. Nice rv park in a really nice area. Spent an evening at a Texas ranch, lunch in Galveston and an afternoon at Moody Gardens. It was great to enjoy their company and it motivated us to see more of the area.

On Galveston Island, Dione made sure she put her hand in the water. We would not have even stopped in this area if Dione hadn't wanted to meet us and spend some time. This airport was convenient in our travels.

We are so glad we spent a week there and got to know Kenah and Galveston better.